The draw for the quarter and semi-finals of the 2021/22 Champions League were made on Friday.
Three English teams were left in the competition, as well as German and Spanish powerhouses Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
As a result, we are set to be treated to some huge games. Chelsea will take on Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, Manchester City face Atletico Madrid, Liverpool will go head-to-head with Benfica, and the only tie not involving an English side sees Bayern Munich face Villareal.
Friday’s draw also revealed who each quarter-final winner would take on in the semis. This has given us a good idea of who the favourites now are to go on and lift the trophy.
And at 101, we have produced a team-by-team guide for the remaining eight sides left in the Champions League.
Chelsea
The first team we will look at is Chelsea, the current Champions League holders. The Blues have been handed one of the toughest routes to the final in Paris.
Chelsea must take on Real Madrid in the last-eight. Real are Champions league specialists, have a top manager and are in possession of one of the world’s most in-form strikers now.
Tuchel, though, has an excellent record against the Spanish giants, which could help his side out massively.
Chelsea are currently 23/20 to beat Los Blancos in the first leg of their quarter-final. They are also 12/1 to go on and win the competition outright.
101’s prediction: Chelsea win the first leg 1-0.
Liverpool
The 2019 winners have been handed perhaps the easiest route to the final and are 101’s favourites to make it to Paris and win the competition. They are currently 2/1 to lift the trophy.
Liverpool face Benfica in the quarters, which is a tie they should win with ease.
Bayern Munich are then likely to be the Reds’ opponents in the semis and whilst they are a tough side, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have already beaten them once back in the Round of 16 in 2019.
101’s prediction: Liverpool dominate Benfica over two legs.
Manchester City
Finalists in 2021, Manchester City are once again heavy favourites to reach the competition's showpiece and lift the trophy, being priced at 15/8 to do so.
Their quarter-final matchup comes against Atletico Madrid. On paper, this seems like a hard match, but the Spanish outfit are not the fierce side they once were – only just seeing off a poor Manchester United in the last round.
City, meanwhile, continue to dominate sides and should have little issue breaking down what is now a fairly weak Atletico defence.
101’s prediction: Manchester City beat Atletico 2-0 in the first leg.
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich have a very easy quarter-final match. They have been drawn against Villarreal, a side they should be able to see off pretty comfortably.
As mentioned above, the Germans will then likely face Liverpool in the semis. And whilst that could prove too much for them, it is hard not to see them putting at least three to four past Unai Emery’s side.
But if you do think Bayern can get past Liverpool, they are currently 3/1 to win the Champions League this year.
101’s prediction: Villarreal 0-Bayern Munich 3 for first leg.
Real Madrid
Despite seeing off PSG in the last round, Real Madrid are priced at a staggering 14/1 to win the Champions League in 2022.
That may be somewhat harsh of Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who have won the competition on numerous occasions, have Karim Benzema firing on all cylinders this season and are in possession of one of the most experienced sides left in the CL.
Granted, they did lose to Chelsea in the semi-finals last year, but the Blues are not at their best right now and are likely to be distracted by the ongoing ownership/ contract problems at the club.
Ben Chilwell, who played a key role in the two meetings between the pair last year, is also expected to miss both legs this time around due to injury.
101’s prediction: Real Madrid go through over two legs vs Chelsea.
Benfica
Benfica are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2016 after beating Ajax in the previous round.
The Portuguese side are probably the weakest side left in the competition and have little chance of beating Liverpool.
They are 7/2 to draw with Liverpool in the first leg, which is at their ground.
101’s prediction: Benfica lose to Liverpool over both legs.
Villarreal
Villarreal have made it to the last eight of the competition for the first time since 2011.
Unai Emery’s side, whilst they are the current Europa League holders, stand little chance of beating Bayern.
The German powerhouse are a ruthless team who often rack up some crazy scorelines in Europe, such as their 7-1 hammering of RB Salzburg in the last round.
101’s prediction: Villarreal lose both legs vs Bayern Munich.
Atletico Madrid
The final team left in the competition is Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone’s side were once a greatly feared team with an impenetrable defence.
However, the Argentine’s squad is not what it once was and most good teams have little issue dealing with Atletico’s gameplan now.
And whilst the Spanish side did beat Manchester United in the last round, the Reds’ neighbours are a much, much tougher test.
101’s prediction: Atletico fail to score vs Manchester City over two legs.
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